San Antonio Republican Women

     The National Republican party was founded in 1854, but no woman could say that she was a Republican until 1920 until the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.  In September 1920, one month after the amendment was ratified, four San Antonio women approached a local attorney asking that he assist them in the formation of a Republican women's club.  The ladies were members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and the National Women's Suffrage Party.  

     From these beginnings, the group became the Republican Women's Club of Bexar County.  The first meeting was held in the home of Miss Eleanor Brackenridge.  Her brother, Colonel George Brackenridge, the owner of the San Antonio News, was instrumental in giving publicity to the blossoming GOP in Texas.  Another influential support of the club was Mr. Harry M. Wurzbach, the future Republican Congressman from Texas (1921-1931, 14th Congressional District). 

     Even though it operated informally until the 1950's, the club ultimately boasted a membership of 600 women.  At the time of the election of General Dwight D. Eisenhower as the 34th U.S. President under the Republican banner, the club name was changed to Bexar County Repulican Women's Club.  By-Laws and Objectives were formally adoped.  

     Other organizations sprang from this original group as diversity and geographic growth of our city and county dictated.  Today, there are more than a dozen Republican clubs in Bexar County, both men and women, as well as student organizations in area high schools and local universities.  

     In 1979, Republican Business Women of Bexar County was formed.  The club was renamed in 2012 and became San Antonio Republican Women.   This new name and identity widened the Club's outreach to potential members geographically and economically attracting a more diverse group of women.  

     We are proud SARW is among the many local organizations promoting Republican values and philosophy. 

SARW 2022 Officers: 

President - Christine Nichol

1st VP Programs - Charlotte Folson

2nd VP Ways & Means - Kathy Beer

3rd VP Membership - Vicki Durst

Secretary - Gabrielle Miglis

Treasurer General - Toya Turner

Treasurer PAC - Jackie Fisher

Legislative Chair - Paula Moore

Immediate Past President - Diana Ridgway